Job32

Elihu, a younger man, becomes angry with Job for self-justification and with his three friends for failing to answer and yet condemning him. He explains that he waited to speak out of respect for their age, but now feels compelled to offer his own perspective, asserting that wisdom comes from God's spirit, not merely from years. He declares his intention to speak without partiality or flattery, as the others have ceased their arguments.

The Friends Cease Speaking

1
And these three men cease from answering Job, for he is righteous in his own eyes,
2
and burn doth the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram; against Job hath his anger burned, because of his justifying himself more than God;
3
and against his three friends hath his anger burned, because that they have not found an answer, and condemn Job.
4
And Elihu hath waited earnestly beside Job with words, for they are older than he in days.
5
And Elihu seeth that there is no answer in the mouth of the three men, and his anger burneth.

Elihu Justifies His Intervention

6
And Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite answereth and saith: --Young I am in days, and ye are age Therefore I have feared, And am afraid of shewing you my opinion.
7
I said: Days do speak, And multitude of years teach wisdom.
8
Surely a spirit is in man, And the breath of the Mighty One Doth cause them to understand.
9
The multitude are not wise, Nor do the aged understand judgment.
10
Therefore I have said: Hearken to me, I do shew my opinion--even I.
11
Lo, I have waited for your words, I give ear unto your reasons, Till ye search out sayings.
12
And unto you I attend, And lo, there is no reasoner for Job, Or answerer of his sayings among you.
13
Lest ye say, We have found wisdom, God doth thrust him away, not man.
14
And he hath not set in array words for me, And with your sayings I do not answer him.

Elihu's Internal Compulsion to Speak

15
(They have broken down, They have not answered again, They removed from themselves words.
16
And I have waited, but they do not speak, For they have stood still, They have not answered any more.)
17
I answer, even I--my share, I shew my opinion--even I.
18
For I have been full of words, Distressed me hath the spirit of my breast,
19
Lo, my breast is as wine not opened, Like new bottles it is broken up.
20
I speak, and there is refreshment to me, I open my lips and answer.
21
Let me not, I pray you, accept the face of any, Nor unto man give flattering titles,
22
For I have not known to give flattering titles, In a little doth my Maker take me away.
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